Freeman Welcomes First Baby of 2016

JOPLIN, Mo. – Tucker Doogie Alexander Juris arrived at 11:22 am January 1, 2016, at Freeman Hospital West. This precious baby was welcomed by parents Britney and Steven Juris of Carthage. Tucker weighed six pounds, three ounces and measured 19.5 inches in length.

Tucker, along with all babies born at Freeman West on New Year’s Day, received a stuffed animal from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Additionally, the first baby born each year receives a special baby goody bag courtesy of Freeman Health System.

The last baby born in 2015 at Freeman West was Gracie Marie Graves. Gracie was born at 5:52 pm December 31, 2015, weighing five pounds, fifteen ounces and measuring 18.5 inches in length. She is the daughter of parents Becky and Brad Graves of Joplin.

Freeman Health System has provided maternity care to Joplin and surrounding communities for more than 80 years. Freeman Maternity Center features two obstetric surgery suites, board-certified obstetricians, certified nurse midwifes, the region’s only board-certified perinatologist for high-risk pregnancies and three full-time neonatal nurse practitioners for sick and prematurely born infants. A newly-remodeled nurses station, nursery and postpartum rooms provide privacy and comfort during this special time. Additionally, Malarie Hickey Jaccaud Birthing Unit features nine home-like birthing suites.

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. For 2016, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman one of the top Hospitals in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2015 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo